AUGUST 2005

August is the first full month of Saturn in Leo. Since Saturn rules responsibility, structure and security and Leo is the sign of royalty, leadership and quality there is great potential for change in the next two years. Leo, Taurus, Scorpio and Aquarius are fixed signs and are not easily changed. Many countries have charts with planets in fixed signs: The United States Moon and Nodes; Britain’s Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and Neptune; Canada’s Saturn and Pluto; Australia’s Moon; and Israel’s Sun, Moon, Pluto, Saturn and Mars. As the Mars retrograde sets up on the 12th (see Mars), it squares Mercury (impulsive decisions). On the 17th Jupiter trines Neptune which can indicate confidence. However, while Neptune is retrograde it could be foolish. If a country begins aggression at this time, it will not go well. The “Baby Boomer” generation – those born between October of 1938 and June of 1958 – all have their Pluto in Leo. How Saturn in Leo will affect countries, persons or companies will depend on house placement, connection with other planets in the chart and how it has been integrated up to now. The Sun in Leo until the 22nd relates to leadership, entertainment, performing, children and creative talents. The Sun in Virgo after the 22nd supports practical, routine, detailed and analytical issues and projects. Virgo likes to be prepared and organized. This is the time of year to return to the routine of school and career.

Mercury (communications, writing, contracts, commerce) remains retrograde in Leo until the 15th when it turns direct at 8 degrees. Mercury in Leo supports entertaining friends, performance, parties, sports and efforts to beautify the home and yard. Mercury in Leo speaks from the heart. It can sound egotistical, but it is very favorable for performing and leadership. Mercury entered the “setup” shadow of the retrograde on the 5th of July and the actual retrograde began on July 23rd at 20 degrees Leo. During the setup of the retrograde, from 7/4 to 7/23, an issue would have come up to be worked on between the 23rd and August 16th. Mercury in Leo relates to leadership, children, performing, entertaining, development of talents and entrepreneurial activities. During the windup phase of the retrograde, from August 16th to the 30th, details can be worked out, agreements finalized and transition completed.

Venus (values, money, social connections) in Virgo until the 16th supports having values which are standards by which you live and work. Venus in Virgo also appreciates preparation, timing, scheduling, planning, lists and calendars. Virgos use these tools to keep themselves and others organized and can be of great support in that function. Venus in Libra after the 16th supports culture, beauty, art, music, fashion, decorating and social interaction.

Mars (initiation, energy, aggression) will be in Taurus all month. It lends energy to tangible things such as the earth, crops, building, machinery and repairs. Relating to temperament, Taurus can be persevering or stubborn. On the 12th Mars enters the shadow of its next retrograde which begins on October 1st. Since Mars moves more slowly than Mercury, it is retrograde longer and consequently its entry shadow and windup phase are longer. Since Mars rules war and aggression, the people, countries and companies whose charts have planets or angles from 8 to 23 degrees Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius will be most affected between August and December.

Jupiter (expansion, opportunity, optimism, travel, foreign trade, education, religion) transits 13 to 18 degrees Libra where it was in December 2004 and January thru April of 2005. Birthdays affected most are October 6th-11th, April 2nd-8th, July 5th-10th and January 3rd-8th as well as persons whose charts have planets or angles from 13 to 18 degrees Libra, Aries, Cancer and Capricorn. Jupiter in Libra brings opportunity thru mediation, cooperation, fairness and arbitration to achieve win-win outcomes. Ruled by Venus, Libra brings a renewed interest in relationships, romance, culture, decorating, art and music. Attention to these helps nurture others and society, sharing each person’s abilities and unique talents for self-expression.

Saturn (structure, foundation, responsibility) transits 1 to 5 degrees Leo where it will repeat from February to May 2006. Saturn will bring career shifts and changes in responsibility to Leos as well as restructuring in the house of your chart which it rules or where planets in Leo are found. Leo relates to royalty, leadership, performing, children, entertainment and creative talents. During Saturn in Leo, many people could take their hobbies and develop them into businesses. This month’s transits most directly affect those born July 24th-28th, April 21st-25th, October 24th-29th and January 21st-25th as well as those whose charts have planets or angles at 1 to 5 degrees Leo, Aquarius, Taurus and Scorpio. Saturn’s last transit thru Leo was 1975 to 1978 so it is helpful to review what was happening in your life about 30 years ago, during the half-cycle of 14-15 years (in Aquarius), the quarter cycle of 7 years (in Taurus) and 21 years, the third quarter cycle (in Scorpio) to understand what Saturn’s transit in Leo between July 2005 and September 2007 could mean to you.

Uranus (freedom, rebellion, surprise, invention technology) retrogrades from 9 to 8 degrees Pisces where it was in April and will repeat from January thru February of 2006. Birthdays most affected are February 27th-28th, September 1st-2nd, May 29th-31st and November 30th-December 1st will need freedom, experience chaos or make radical changes at these times as well as persons whose charts have planets or angles at 8 and 9 degrees Pisces, Virgo, Gemini or Sagittarius. Uranus will be in Pisces until 2011. Uranus supports social revolution. During 1920, the last pass of Uranus thru Pisces, the U.S. Congress granted women the right to vote. It also supports artistic creativity with innovation and intellect with sensitivity, leading to modern ways of helping those in need and suggesting that the only way that humanity will survive is by caring for each other and doing what is best for all, addressing humanitarian and global issues, such as Tsunami and hunger relief, not just issues which individuals or special interests promote.

Neptune (sensitivity, inspiration, escapism, dreams, trust) retrogrades from 16 to 15 degrees Aquarius where it was in February and March and will repeat in December as well as January 2006. The planet Neptune relates to intangibles such as imagination, art and inspiration as well as escapism and the process of healing. During the retrograde of Neptune (May thru October 2005) is a good time to release addictive habits, attitudes or behaviors. Birthdays most affected are February 4th-5th, August 8th-9th, November 8th/9th and May 6th-7th as well as charts with planets or angles at 15 to 16 degrees Aquarius, Scorpio, Taurus or Leo. Neptune transits bring a lack of focus or direction, a sense of drifting or the inability to see a betrayal, disappointment, error or weakness until it’s too late. On the positive side this can be a time for healing, faith, psychic insights and artistic creativity. Under Uranus in Pisces you can develop artistic or musical talents, practice meditation and follow intuition and inner guidance. But you may also need to watch your back and balance faith with practicality and fact to see events clearly, not with just wishful thinking or remaining attached to the dream or vision of what you think might have been.

Pluto (power, control, resources, transformation) retrogrades from 22 to 21 degrees Sagittarius, repeating where it was February thru April 2004, December 2004, July 2005 and will be in October 2005. Birthdays most affected are December 13th-14th, June 12th-13th, March 12th and September 14th as well as charts with planets or angles at 21 or 22 degrees Virgo, Sagittarius, Gemini and Pisces. Between February 2004 and September 2005 they will experience major changes in life such as career, relocation, marriage, divorce or financial problems. During these times personal counseling or therapy may be required and self-awareness and motivational work is valuable. Pluto has passed the 20th degree and is two-thirds thru the sign of Sagittarius, bringing transformation and paradigm shifts in education, travel, religion, politics and global trade.

Specific indications for the 12 signs are as follows:

Here are the Specific indications for the 12 signs

Note: In addition to reading about your sun sign, you can get additional information by reading about your moon sign, rising sign and the sign on the Midheaven of your chart.

Nancy Bahlman is a professional astrologer with special interests in relating persons to locations using Astro*Cartography and Local Space Charts. Classes now forming.
(248) 546-5407 chartmates@aol.com